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Best Indoor Water Parks Near NYC

Earlier this week, we rounded up the 25 best warm family vacations to escape the cold and snow. But you don't have to get on a plane or pay thousands of dollars to take your kids someplace warm and tropical in the dead of winter. Just hop in the car and head to a nearby indoor water park.

We've found four warm and wet indoor resorts less than two hours from midtown Manhattan that all make for great day trips. We've also included a few farther flung options in case you're up for a multiday getaway. A visit to an indoor water park is a great way to give your kids a beach-like experience during any season—most are a hot and humid 85 degrees year-round. So pull out that bathing suit you haven't seen since last summer... but leave the sunscreen at home.

All of these water resorts feature similar amenities such as changing areas, lockers, restaurants, and many water slides and pool activities. Most also include a relaxing lazy river, a surfboard simulator and a big play structure for younger ones, with water sprays, giant tilting water buckets and mini-slides. Read on for more details about each indoor water park.

H20ooohh! Indoor Family Waterpark– Lake Harmony, PA
Split Rock Resort, 100 Moseywood Road
Approximately two hours from midtown Manhattan by car
Open year-round. Find the complete schedule and ticket prices on the website.
Kids will enjoy splashing around in the Jungle Falls and the Leapin' Lizards play areas, while adults can relax in the Lava Springs hot tubs. There's also a huge wave pool and four-story high slides for adventurous visitors. If you're planning to stay overnight at Split Rock, there are packages that include water park passes.

CoCo Key Water Resort– Waterbury, CT
3580 East Main Street
Approximately one hour and 45 minutes from midtown Manhattan by car
Open year-round. Find the complete schedule and ticket prices on the website.
Even though both of these popular water parks are located inside hotels, you don't need to be a guest to buy day passes. Purchase them online in advance to guarantee admission. CoCo Key is more low-key than its competitors. There aren't any super-high slides or surf simulators, but there are some cool body slides and activity pools, as well as kiddie areas and arcades.

If your family is up for a multiday trip, consider one of these resorts. Both are approximately 90 minutes by car from midtown Manhattan and require an overnight stay in order to enjoy the water parks and other amenities:

Although they won't be ready in time for this winter, keep an eye out for two new indoor water parks opening in the Pocono Mountains in 2015. Popular Tannersville, PA ski resort Camelback (which turns into outdoor water park Camelbeach in summer) is opening a new lodge this spring featuring lots of amenities, including indoor water park Aquatopia. Meanwhile, African-themed indoor water park and resort chain, Kalahari, is opening an outpost in nearby Pocono Manor, PA this summer. Stay tuned for posts on these new attractions once they open.